Matador contributor Andris Bjornson has spent time as a wildland firefighter, a State Department diplomat, an adventure trip leader, and an Asia-traveling backpacker. While that may sound more like the resume of a schizophrenic than a photographer, it's his taste for adventure that's the common thread. Andris is currently trying to make it as a travel photographer/writer and hopes to help decrease the world's empathy deficit by creating images that allow viewers to connect with subjects. Check out his photography at AndrisBjornson.com.